A number of factors have contributed to the recovery, Hotels.com says, including additional air routes, events-based tourism and overseas visitor numbers that have increased some 10% in the first six months of 2014.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) rejects the figures.

"Less than one out of every 10 room nights booked in Ireland is sold through [Hotels.com]," its President, Stephen McNally, said last night. "The vast majority are sold through other sources including directly with the hotel; over the phone or through hotels' own websites.”

Irish hotel price increases are running at just under 3.5pc, according to CSO figures - the IHF points out.

"Feedback from hotels and guesthouses in Dublin suggest that prices are running slightly ahead of this in the capital."

Hotels.com says Dublin's room rates increased 15pc to an average of €107 per night in the first half of 2014, however.

Another recent survey - conducted by accounting and consulting firm Crowe Horwath - found Dublin's hotels as busy as they were during the boom years, with occupancy rates in the capital hitting 76.3pc last year.

Aided by The Gathering, the rates compare with a 76.8pc occupancy achieved in 2007.

The impact of the cancellation of the five Garth Brooks concerts in July is not yet reflected in the Hotels.com figures, but it is estimated that the capital lost €50 million in ticket refunds, empty hotel rooms and missed spending on food and drink by fans from home and abroad.